This month, we thought—why not share some uplifting news with you? Something that might make you smile... or even laugh.

🌊 “The Ocean is for Everyone”

At Byron Bay Skincare, made right here in the Byron hinterland, we love to surf. For many of us, especially our female customers, grabbing a board and heading out with friends for a paddle feels completely natural.

But in some parts of the world, it's not always that easy.

In Sri Lanka, women were traditionally expected to stay out of the ocean. Most weren’t taught how to swim, let alone surf. While tourists and men enjoyed the waves, local women were often held back by social norms and fear.

That began to change in 2018 when SeaSisters was founded — the first local surf club for women in Sri Lanka. Their mission is to empower women through swimming, surfing, and community. Since then, they’ve built a supportive network and helped hundreds of women connect with the ocean for the very first time.

Today, SeaSisters runs regular sessions along the south coast, creating a safe space where women can grow their confidence in the water and build strong connections with each other, all through the shared joy of the ocean. What a beautiful initiative!

🌿 Giving Old Clothes a Second Life

At Byron Bay Skincare, we care deeply about the earth, and we’re always excited to share good news from fellow Aussie businesses that are doing their part to protect it.

That’s why we loved hearing about After, a Melbourne-based company that’s rethinking what happens to our old clothes.

We’ve all been there — your favourite shirt has a hole, your socks have lost their match… and you’re left wondering what to do with them. Throwing them out feels wrong, but donation bins won’t take them either.

That’s exactly the problem that Yesha and Nehal, the founders of After, wanted to solve.

In 2021, they launched Australia’s first textile recycling pick-up service, designed to help people like us give their unwearable clothes a second chance. Instead of ending up in landfills, the fabrics get sorted and repurposed into useful new materials. After partners with Textile Recyclers Australia (TRA), who ensure that your textiles are given a second life. The collected items are sent to India, where they're meticulously processed into recycled yarn and carpet underlay.

But it doesn’t stop there.

After also works with local creatives, schools, and businesses to make sure these textiles find a new home, whether it’s through upcycling, art projects, or industrial reuse.

It’s stories like these that remind us: small changes can have a big impact 🌏💛

🐢 Tortoise returns after 9 Months

After nine months on the run, a pet tortoise named Leonardo has finally made his way back home.

Leonardo went missing last July from his home in Ulverston, Cumbria. His owner, Rachel, searched everywhere, but as the seasons changed and winter approached, she feared she might never see him again.

Then, in early spring, a local dog walker spotted something unusual in the grass. It was Leonardo — a little tired, but alive and well. Despite spending months outdoors, including a full English winter, he had managed to survive — most likely by hibernating through the cold.

Now, Rachel and Leonardo are back together again.

This (slow)-moving story is a gentle reminder that sometimes, even after a long journey, we find our way back to where we’re meant to be.